Aurora didn’t dare to open her eyes. She simply nodded. “Mm.”
“Good girl. If you’re tired, just sleep. I’ll go take a shower. Don’t wait for me,” Julian said, gently kissing her forehead.
After he left, Aurora opened her eyes and caught sight of his tall, broad back. She wondered if, one day after she left, she would still remember that silhouette.
Though her body was exhausted, she couldn’t sleep. Aurora got up and sat at the desk.
She took out a pen and paper, carefully writing down the words she couldn’t bring herself to say to Julian’s face-words that were cold and final. The sound of water from the bathroom, her shadow on the wall, and the soft, warm light of the lamp all added to the sorrowful atmosphere.
When Julian came out, Aurora was already asleep. He quietly turned off the light and got into bed. Like always, Aurora instinctively nestled into his arms, wrapping her arms around his waist.
He wasn’t sure if it was his imagination, but tonight Aurora held him tighter than ever before, as if he was her entire world, someone she couldn’t afford to lose.
That night, Aurora was haunted by nightmares. She dreamt of separation and kept calling Julian’s name.
“No, Julian, don’t leave me.”
Her cries woke Julian. He found her gripping his pajama shirt tightly, her face full of fear even though her eyes remained closed.
“Little Bunny, don’t be scared. It’s just a dream. I’m here with you. Don’t be afraid.” His voice was soft, comforting, like a mother soothing her child.
Aurora half-opened her eyes, unsure if she was still dreaming or awake. “Julian, don’t leave me…”
“How could I ever bear to leave you? Did you have a nightmare?” Julian gently wiped the sweat from her forehead.
Aurora nodded, clinging to him. “Julian, what if one day I forget you? If I don’t remember you or our past, would you still want me?”
Julian thought she was just shaken by her dream. Knowing how sensitive pregnant women could be, he gently held her close. “Silly girl, how could you forget me?”
“But what if? What if I do forget you? What would you do then?”
“If you forget me, I’ll pursue you all over again. I’ll do everything we did before so you’ll remember me. You’re the mother of my child-how could I ever not want you? It’s late now. Stop overthinking. I’m here. Sleep well.”
Still, Aurora refused to let go of his hand. “Julian, let’s make a promise. If I really forget you one day, you have to come find me!”
“Alright, alright. Let’s make a promise.” Julian linked his pinky with hers and kissed her gently. “Now can you sleep?”
Only then did Aurora relax back into his arms. Perhaps it was his promise, but she slept especially soundly for the rest of the night.
The next morning, she didn’t wake until nine. When she opened her eyes, he was already gone.
Looking at her little finger, she could almost feel the lingering warmth of his touch. Julian, you have to come find me, she thought.
It was their last day together. Aurora put on his favorite white dress and tied her hair into a high ponytail. In the mirror, she looked nothing like someone about to become a mother. Without makeup, her face was as fresh and youthful as a high school student’s.
Slowly, she walked downstairs. The aroma of cooking wafted from the kitchen.
Standing at the doorway, she saw him, sweat glistening on his forehead. He was reading a cookbook aloud to himself. “Two hundred milliliters of water, then two teaspoons of salt…”
The serious expression on his face made it seem like he was tackling a great challenge. Unable to resist, Aurora walked over and hugged him from behind. “Julian.”
“Did you sleep well? You had a nightmare last night.”
“Mm. I was just a bit muddled last night.” Aurora inhaled his clean, fresh scent. Julian smoked occasionally, but never in front of her. If he ever smelled of smoke, he would make sure to wash it off completely before seeing her.
“It seems pregnant women really are more sensitive. In a few months, when the baby grows bigger, you probably won’t sleep well at all. If the baby’s too fussy, maybe we shouldn’t have another one. Just having one is fine-I don’t want you to suffer.”
Julian loved children more than anyone, but at this moment, he was willing to give them up for her sake. Meeting a man like him was the luckiest thing that had ever happened to her.
“Julian, thank you.”
“Thank me for what?” Julian put down the spoon and turned to hold her in his arms.
“Thank you for loving me, for showing me how beautiful love can be. Even years from now, when I think back to today, I’ll still feel the warmth you’ve given me,” Aurora said softly.
“Don’t worry. I’ll love you forever and ever,” Julian replied, kissing her.
In the gentle morning sunlight, they held each other tightly. It was as if, before she left, this was her final way of saying goodbye.
At the amusement park, the air was filled with laughter and screams. Children ran around everywhere, their golden hair and blue eyes shining in the sun.
Every time a child with blue eyes passed by, Julian would glance at them a little longer. “I wish I had blue eyes. Then our baby would, too.”
Seeing how much he loved children, Aurora smiled lightly. “Our baby will be beautiful, no matter what.”
“I hope they take after you. Then I’ll have two of you to spoil,” Julian said happily, placing his hand on her belly. He couldn’t feel the baby yet, but the thought warmed his heart.
“Julian, what should we name our baby?” Aurora asked, wondering when she might eventually forget him.
“Isn’t it too early to think about names?”
“Not really. Lately, I’ve been thinking about it whenever I have free time. Why don’t you decide?” Aurora smiled warmly, her face glowing with motherly love.
“Let’s call her Joyce. I only hope she’ll live a safe, happy life, always smiling. I don’t want her to go through the painful past we had.”
Julian didn’t hesitate as he spoke. Both he and Aurora had endured dark times, sealing themselves behind cold walls and forgetting how to smile.
“Joyce? Alright, if it’s a girl, we’ll call her Joyce. But what if it’s a boy?”
“I have a feeling it’s a girl,” Julian said confidently. He had read about Aurora’s family lineage-every woman in her family gave birth to daughters.
He didn’t care whether it was a boy or a girl. It was their child, and he would love them just as deeply.
“We haven’t even had a scan yet, and you think you’re better than medical equipment?” Aurora joked, gently stroking her belly. “Baby, your name is Joyce now. Daddy chose it for you. Do you like it?”